Information Systems:

Data, Information, and Systems:

MIS 715 Eaton Fall 2001 2 Data, Information, and Systems Data vs. Information Data A “given,” or fact; a number, a statement, or a picture Represents something in the real world The raw materials in the production of information Information Data that have meaning within a context Data in relationships Data after manipulation

Data, Information, and Systems:

MIS 715 Eaton Fall 2001 3 Data, Information, and Systems Data Manipulation Example: customer survey Reading through data collected from a customer survey with questions in various categories would be time-consuming and not very helpful. When manipulated, the surveys may provide useful information.

Data, Information, and Systems:

Data, Information, and Systems:

MIS 715 Eaton Fall 2001 6 Data, Information, and Systems What Is a System? System: A set of components that work together to achieve a common goal Subsystem: One part of a system where the products of more than one system are combined to reach an ultimate goal Closed system: Stand-alone system that has no contact with other systems Open system: System that interfaces with other systems

Data, Information, and Systems:

Data, Information, and Systems:

MIS 715 Eaton Fall 2001 10 Data, Information, and Systems The Benefits of Human-Computer Synergy Synergy When combined resources produce output that exceeds the sum of the outputs of the same resources employed separately Allows human thought to be translated into efficient processing of large amounts of data

Data, Information, and Systems:

Data, Information, and Systems:

MIS 715 Eaton Fall 2001 12 Data, Information, and Systems The Four Stages of Data Processing Input: Data is collected and entered into computer. Data processing: Data is manipulated into information using mathematical, statistical, and other tools. Output: Information is displayed or presented. Storage: Data and information are maintained for later use.

Ethical and Societal Issues The Not-So-Bright Side :

MIS 715 Eaton Fall 2001 15 Ethical and Societal Issues The Not-So-Bright Side Freedom of Speech IT increases opportunities for pornography, hate speech, intellectual property crime, an d other intrusions; prevention may abridge free speech. IT Professionalism No mandatory or enforced code of ethics for IT professionals--unlike other professions. Social Inequality Less than 20% of the world’s population have ever used a PC; less than 3% have Internet access.